The Ghost Light Podcast (Utah Symphony | Utah Opera)

The Ghost Light Podcast sits down with guitarist Gretchen Menn and USUO VP of Education and Community Outreach Ben Kipp to discuss the upcoming Guitar Celebrations Festival featuring Another Night On Earth guitar ensemble with the Utah Symphony.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." They discuss why this opera is among the most performed operas worldwide, what to expect with THIS production, and the history of Mozart's timeless work.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give an in-depth look into Utah Opera's upcoming production of Rachel Portman and Nicholas Wright's "The Little Prince." The opera is based on the children's book of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Originally debuted in 2019 by Utah Opera, this colorful instant classic returns to the Capitol Theatre stage with a whole new cast.

Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take a deep look into the origins of film music. From silent films to the first "talkies" and to the modern epic scores. What are their favorite movie scores? Who are their favorite creative partners? How does movie music fit in with the modern symphony orchestra? and finally, how do movie score composers stack up against the great composers in history?

Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts sit down with the newly appointed Utah Symphony Creative Partner, David Robertson, to discuss the genesis of his new role, the challenges and opportunities of programming a compelling concert, and what it's like being a part of a very musical family.

From the confused cosmos of the opening movement, to the folky and athletic scherzo, to the glorious finale. Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take you deep into the history and subtle details of Beethoven’s magnum opus. Learn about Beethoven’s personal life at the time of writing, the contemporary reaction to the work, and what Symphony No.9 means in modern culture. And finally, why do “war horse” pieces like Beethoven’s Ninth get played so often? And how does it stay fresh to the listener?

To kick of the 8th season of the Ghost Light Podcast, co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts take you behind the music and production of the upcoming Utah Opera presentation of Puccini's La bohème. Discover the historical origins of the famed opera and why it's among the most performed operas world-wide. Jeff and Carol also give you some insider details of this production, and discuss La bohème's contribution to pop culture.

Now at the end of his tenure as Music Director of the Utah Symphony, Thierry Fischer sits down with hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson to reflect on his time with the orchestra. What are his favorite memories? What travel advice would he give to a newcomer to Utah? Maybe most importantly of all, will he remain a fan of the Utah Jazz? Find out all of this and more with the latest episode of the Ghost Light Podcast!

A modern opera about Steve Jobs? Ghost Light Podcast hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson take you behind the scenes of the next Utah Opera production: The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. From electric guitar and techno sound patches combined with a full orchestra, complicated characters, and big voices get the inside scoop behind this Grammy Award winning opera. Learn why this production shows the future of what opera can and WILL be!

Composer Mason Bates shares insight into his creative process as he sits down with co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts to discuss the upcoming Utah Opera production of Grammy Award winner - The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs. What elements are considered when creating a new opera? What sound elements are considered with each character? And why write an opera about a tech giant? Find out in the latest episode of Utah Symphony Utah Opera’s Ghost Light Podcast.

Among the many facets of creating a new opera, librettist Mark Campbell feels that the most important element is starting with heart. Hear insight into his creative process as he sits down with co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts to discuss the upcoming Utah Opera production of Grammy Award winner - The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.

Ghost Light hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a preview of the upcoming Utah Opera production of Verdi's “Rigoletto.”

Ghost Light hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a preview of the upcoming Utah Opera production of Donizetti’s “The Daughter of the Regiment.”

Recently hired Costume Director, CeeCee Swalling joins the podcast to discuss what goes on behind the scenes in an opera costume shop. Find CeeCee on instagram @costumesbyceecee Or online at https://www.costumesbyceecee.com

In the first episode of The Ghost Light Podcasts seventh season, Hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson preview the upcoming Utah Opera performance of Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman." Find tickets for the production here: https://bit.ly/3M4lfgK

A Pirate King and “Modern Major-General” are just the beginning of the farcical fun in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. From patter songs to anecdotes about Savoy operas and the premiere of this cult classic, the Ghost Light Podcasts co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts give you what you need to know about the upcoming Utah Opera production.

What do British baking shows and opera have in common? Find out in the latest episode of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Ghost Light Podcast.

Co-hosts Carol Anderson and Jeff Counts sit down after the first rehearsal of Utah Opera’s production of Puccini’s “Tosca” with two of the principal artists. Soprano Katie Van Kooten, who is performing the role of Floria Tosca for the first time, and Stephen Powell who has played Scarpia on a number of occasions. Hear these artists discuss what goes into the preparation involved with learning a new role or keeping a familiar role fresh. The two artists also have ideas for what story they’d like to see set as an opera. Find out what they are in the newest episode of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera’s Ghost Light Podcast.

Utah Opera invites you to witness one of opera’s most intense dramas. She’s a singer, he’s a painter and they’re both trying to avoid the cops. Fiery young diva Floria Tosca is forced to play a role she never imagined when she becomes trapped between her freedom-fighting lover and a corrupt police chief whose lust for her dominates his faith. The story’s heart-stopping conclusion lands tragically under the Roman skyline. The leap is LEGEND. The Ghost Light Podcast co-hosts Jeff Counts and Carol Anderson give you a behind the scenes look into Utah Opera’s production of Puccini’s “Tosca.”

Composer Arlene Sierra recently sat down with the Ghost Light Podcast to discuss her residency with the symphony upcoming artist in residency with the Utah Symphony in April 2022. Arlene discusses her roots in electronic music and the journey back to composing acoustical music. Arlene studied electronic music composition at Oberlin, and found that the electronic music classes fascinating for her composition sensitivities. But although she loved the experience she looked forward to opportunities to get back in collaboration with live musicians. In April, Arlene will spend a few weeks in Utah working with the Utah Symphony in an American debut of Nature Symphony and a world premiere of Bird Symphony, a piece the Utah Symphony commissioned. She will also work with the Utah Youth Symphony in preparing a paired down version of Nature Symphony. Arlene was also asked about her perspective, as an American composer living and working abroad, about the representation shift in both living and female composers. You may know that Arlene and her husband are both composers. What’s their secret to keeping their personal and professional lives in balance? Find out on Episode 6 of the Ghost Light Podcast.